What about the O-Line, WR & Defensive Backs?

[jason]

Agreed 100%. Remember what Angelo said last year, "its all about the QB." In one year, w/ poor playcalling and no protection, we saw more from out WRs than we have in a long time. Improve playcalling and the protection, and just wait to see what Cutler does with this talented young group of WRs.

 

Nodding in agreement at the obviousness.

[jason]

The ESPN talking heads all basically said how the Bears failed to address WR and Oline which were the teams two biggest needs. Well, I think they are sleeping a bit on the wide-out position and at the same time I think us as Bear fans are a little overly optimistic as to our talent.

 

Clearly we could use an elite #1 wideout. Yes, we all hope DA is that but it was just a few games. And clearly the oline needs to get upgraded but those takling heads seriuosly need to shut up.

 

We didn't have anyone out there to go after on the oline that would have been a significant upgrade and our oline did get better as the season went on. Which you would also expect given how many changes there were to our oline last season.

 

The talking heads are idiots who get lazy and make their judgements based upon stat lines and highlight reels. WR was at BEST the sixth most needed position.

1A) OG

1B) OT

3) FS

4) DT

5) #2 RB

[ParkerBear7]

Agreed 100%. Remember what Angelo said last year, "its all about the QB." In one year, w/ poor playcalling and no protection, we saw more from out WRs than we have in a long time. Improve playcalling and the protection, and just wait to see what Cutler does with this talented young group of WRs.

 

 

I agree that this is a QB driven league and if you don't have a talented passer you will go no where. To support what NFO is saying; think for a moment about WR's that left the Bears - B.C. (before Cutler)over the last 3-4 years. I seem to recall them mostly all being more productive with their new respective teams: Gage, Berrian, Wade, MM, etc. I think we all know and understand the reasons.

 

I know Cutler had a tough first year but if you look beyond the turnovers; you may have noticed something that is known to exist in our region; mainly in Indy, Green Bay and Minn but not actually scene in the "312" in forever (the Passing Game not bigfoot!). The Bears offense became more confident over the last quarter of 2009 and opposing defenses certainly had to account for the pass for the first time in eons.

 

This year the "O" will take major strides especially if we can cut the t.o.'s by half. With the addition of

RB Taylor we will have more production from this group not necessarily balance but emphasis on the quality part. I am highly optomistic about our core group! Adding a FS like OJ Otogwe is the next peice and we could have something special this season.

 

The only MUST for the 2010 Draft: The Bears need to draft quality depth for OL, DB, LB and stop reaching for guys like DM, Melton etc before round 6.

 

PHILLY and NE draft very well year in, year out. Why? It is quite simple: draft healthy high IQ football players over raw athletes. Our scouts and GM need to trust the film and be a little less concerned about how players perform in shorts. I am not at all concerned about the draft picks we traded for Cutler especially since the Bears have a tendancy to strike out with top picks any way. So if JA and CO. just keep it simple instead of swinging for the fences maybe they can get some quality depth with the picks they actually have to get us through to next year when our 1st pick in the draft will be number 32 overall!

[nfoligno]

You will not get an argument from me about what precise route running can do for WRs. W/ that said, and while I am sure Austin did work on his route running, but think the bigger key was simply being given a chance. W/ Roy and TO (not to mention Witten) several young WRs were simply burried on the roster two years ago, and it was only after TO walked that Austin was given a chance.

 

A WR can run all the great routes he wants, but if he isn't given an opportunity, does it matter? Sort of like how Bennett was held back due to Booker and other worthless veterans. Or somewhat like Aramashadu. No veterans holding him back, but instead a coach. Sometimes a receiver just needs a chance.

 

I think there's another important thing about the Austin comparison. He was always a great size/speed athlete, but what vaulted him from like #5 on the depth chart to #1 was route-running. There was some interview I saw, and the upshot was that Austin spent all of last offseason working incredibly hard on his routes. Then he steps in this season, grabs the starting job, and lights people up. Austin, I think, is kind of a case-study in how much of a difference really good routes can make for a raw, athletic receiver. He went from a return guy to a star receiver in a single offseason, and the big difference was his exceptional routes.

 

With the way Martz preaches precise routes, our receivers are going to have to make the same kind of jump that Austin did. If Hester or Knox or Aromashodu can do it under Martz's coaching, any of them has the athletic ability to be a difference-maker at wideout.

 

[nfoligno]

I would say:

 

OL, DL and FS were pretty consistently considered our top needs.

 

After this, I think you really get a spread of opinions. You, for example, felt RB was a pretty low need, but I think most would have argued Wolfe, Belle and whoever else just are not enough, especially when there are questions surrounding Forte. WR is similar. I am with you in that WR was a very low need. Others don't see the potential, or just simply feel all that youth would be better with a veteran to lead them.

 

At the end of the day, I am thrilled that we fixed one of the top tier needs. I am hopeful we fix another (FS) before the draft, and the third (OL) in the draft.

 

By the way. I would put CB in the list of needs, probably right after DE, FS and one OL.

 

The talking heads are idiots who get lazy and make their judgements based upon stat lines and highlight reels. WR was at BEST the sixth most needed position.

1A) OG

1B) OT

3) FS

4) DT

5) #2 RB

 

[jason]

I would say:

 

OL, DL and FS were pretty consistently considered our top needs.

 

After this, I think you really get a spread of opinions. You, for example, felt RB was a pretty low need, but I think most would have argued Wolfe, Belle and whoever else just are not enough, especially when there are questions surrounding Forte. WR is similar. I am with you in that WR was a very low need. Others don't see the potential, or just simply feel all that youth would be better with a veteran to lead them.

 

At the end of the day, I am thrilled that we fixed one of the top tier needs. I am hopeful we fix another (FS) before the draft, and the third (OL) in the draft.

 

By the way. I would put CB in the list of needs, probably right after DE, FS and one OL.

 

Check out my list, NFO. I thought backup-RB was a low need...about 5th or 6th. If the whole time EVERYONE thought it was FS, OL, DL (in whatever order) and THEN backup-RB, then there was no real disagreement.

 

The talking heads, however, don't stay current or just plain get lazy. RB was not a high need, but it was, like most positions, one that could be upgraded. It's just that my philosophy is to fix the completely broken before the undesireable.

[nfoligno]

The talking heads, however, don't stay current or just plain get lazy. RB was not a high need, but it was, like most positions, one that could be upgraded. It's just that my philosophy is to fix the completely broken before the undesireable.

 

I understand that, but at the same time, you work within that which is available.

 

This is a really bad group of FAs for the OL. On the other hand, it is said that OT is one of the best and deepest positions in the draft, and the draft as a whole is considered better and deeper than any in years. You know I am with you in regard to working on the OL. But at the same time, I don't want to add some OL to plug the hole if he isn't that good. I would rather focus on the OL in the draft if that is the case. Look at last year. Do you really want to go out and sign another Omiyale, just to say you did something? Heck, I hope we do avoid OL in FA as the options appear weak, and further, if we sign a veteran OL, it lessens the odds Angelo will focus on the OL in the draft. He doesn't need much of an excuse to avoid OL on draft day, and signing even a spare OL in FA is just enough excuse for him to pass on OL until the 6th or 7th round.

 

FS is the only position I think it fair to question going after other positions before, but I would point out that only Rolle has been signed in FA, while Sharper, Atogwe and others are still available. Just because we signed Taylor doesn't mean we have taken a pass on FS. It may simply be a matter of Taylor was an easy, quick signing, while the FSs needed time to feel out the market first.

 

Angelo is damned if he does and damned if he doesn't. If, after Peppers, he focuses only on FS, which may take time, while not even considering other needs, even those which are lower, then he gets attacked for not being able to multi-task.

 

At the end of the day, let me ask you this. If we now sign, for example, Atogwe to an offer sheet and get him, then draft OT w/ our top pick in the draft, are you not happy. We would have then filled our top needs (DE, FS and OL) while also improving the team w/ Manu and Taylor. If we said we don't have the money to sign a FS now after Taylor and Manu, then I would be more inclined to agree with you, but if it is simply a matter of signing those player first, while still getting the FS we need, I have no issue.

 

 

[Stinger226]

The talking heads, however, don't stay current or just plain get lazy. RB was not a high need, but it was, like most positions, one that could be upgraded. It's just that my philosophy is to fix the completely broken before the undesireable.

 

I understand that, but at the same time, you work within that which is available.

 

This is a really bad group of FAs for the OL. On the other hand, it is said that OT is one of the best and deepest positions in the draft, and the draft as a whole is considered better and deeper than any in years. You know I am with you in regard to working on the OL. But at the same time, I don't want to add some OL to plug the hole if he isn't that good. I would rather focus on the OL in the draft if that is the case. Look at last year. Do you really want to go out and sign another Omiyale, just to say you did something? Heck, I hope we do avoid OL in FA as the options appear weak, and further, if we sign a veteran OL, it lessens the odds Angelo will focus on the OL in the draft. He doesn't need much of an excuse to avoid OL on draft day, and signing even a spare OL in FA is just enough excuse for him to pass on OL until the 6th or 7th round.

 

FS is the only position I think it fair to question going after other positions before, but I would point out that only Rolle has been signed in FA, while Sharper, Atogwe and others are still available. Just because we signed Taylor doesn't mean we have taken a pass on FS. It may simply be a matter of Taylor was an easy, quick signing, while the FSs needed time to feel out the market first.

 

Angelo is damned if he does and damned if he doesn't. If, after Peppers, he focuses only on FS, which may take time, while not even considering other needs, even those which are lower, then he gets attacked for not being able to multi-task.

 

At the end of the day, let me ask you this. If we now sign, for example, Atogwe to an offer sheet and get him, then draft OT w/ our top pick in the draft, are you not happy. We would have then filled our top needs (DE, FS and OL) while also improving the team w/ Manu and Taylor. If we said we don't have the money to sign a FS now after Taylor and Manu, then I would be more inclined to agree with you, but if it is simply a matter of signing those player first, while still getting the FS we need, I have no issue.

I totally agree with you. Atogwe, if possible would be a bigtime signing, at 29, could have 3 productive years, and then with the first two draft picks, get a OG and OT. Then I would just draft CBs with our last three picks, and hope we can find a gem in the rough. The only other option I would consider is to go after a FA CB, like Bodden and move Tillman to FS. He would play well there. Only after knowing we couldnt get Atogwe.

[ParkerBear7]

Richie Incognito (G) is available and when the Rams played the Bears last season he played with fire and a nasty demeanor.

 

Anyone think Incognito would look good next to Olin and have Garza backup?

[AZ54]

Richie Incognito (G) is available and when the Rams played the Bears last season he played with fire and a nasty demeanor.

 

Anyone think Incognito would look good next to Olin and have Garza backup?

 

If his performance against our Dline is the best thing on his resume then I'll pass.

[bowlingtwig]

If his performance against our Dline is the best thing on his resume then I'll pass.

I am a fan of incognito but the problem that I have with him is his nastiness tends to land him in trouble more times than not.

[madlithuanian]

I'm interested enough to kick the tires for sure...

 

We could use a mean streak. Hell, we're getting OL penalties anyway for false starts and holding. At least some pushing and shoving makes it interesting.

 

I am a fan of incognito but the problem that I have with him is his nastiness tends to land him in trouble more times than not.

 

[bowlingtwig]

I'm interested enough to kick the tires for sure...

 

We could use a mean streak. Hell, we're getting OL penalties anyway for false starts and holding. At least some pushing and shoving makes it interesting.

I can't arque with that. Hell if you wanna make it interesting go out and get TO then also. Could you imagine that locker room. There would be a lot of egos for Halas Hall.

[madlithuanian]

Part of me would really like to stir it up!

 

I can't arque with that. Hell if you wanna make it interesting go out and get TO then also. Could you imagine that locker room. There would be a lot of egos for Halas Hall.